21 Sun Safety Facts

Proper sun protection is important all year round but during the summer when harmful UV rays become more intense, it should be even more of a priority especially considering most people don't even think about sun protection unless they plan on being outdoors for an extended amount amount of time. Prolonged sun exposure not only increases your risk for skin cancer but it is also a leading cause of premature aging and dull and sagging skin. Get the facts and be sun safe.

Sunlight consists of two types of rays. UVA rays are prevalent all year round and make up 95% of the earth's UV radiation. They can contribute to signs of premature aging such as wrinkles and sunspots. UVB rays cause sunburn and damage to your skin. It should be noted that exposure to either can lead to skin cancer.

The sun is at it's strongest and most harmful between the hours of 10:00am - 4:00pm.

UV rays are always around, not just on sunny days. Up to 80% of the sun's UV rays can pass through clouds.

Dermatologists recommend using sunscreen every day you are outside.

SPF (sun protection factor) is a measure of the ratio it adds to the amount of time you can spend in the sun without burning. So if you normally burn after 30 minutes of exposure, an SPF of 15 would protect you for 450 minutes.

Traditional sunscreens usually only protect against UVB rays so always look for broad spectrum protection which will also shield against those deep penetrating UVA rays. There are two kinds.

Physical sunscreens also known as mineral or inorganic sunscreens work by sitting on top of your skin to deflect or block UV rays. The most common physical sunscreen ingredients are Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. Physical sunblocks tend to be opaque and feel heavier but are usually better for sensitive skin though Titanium dioxide can cause some people to break out. They don't have to be absorbed and start working immediately when applied but they also need to be reapplied more often as they tend to rub off easily.

Chemical sunscreens also know as organic sunscreens work by absorbing the sun's rays via a chemical reaction and dispelling the excess energy as heat. Common chemical sunblock ingredients include Avobenzone, Octinoxate, Octisalate, Oxybenzone, Homosalate, Helioplex, 4-MBC, Mexoryl SX and XL, Tinosorb S and M, and Uvinul T 150 and Uvinul A Plus . Oxybenzone has been cited as controversial because it can penetrate the skin and disrupt hormones. Chemical sunblocks may offer more consistent coverage against UVA and UVB rays but they're can also more likely to be potentially irritating. They're often colorless, odorless, and have a watery texture. It is recommended to apply chemical type sunscreens at least 20 minutes before sun exposure.

Those seeking a natural sun protection solution can try an oil. Carrot seed oil for example has a reported SPF of 30 while coconut oil has an SPF of 10.

No matter what you choose, make sure you wait at least 20 minutes before sun exposure post application.

A higher SPF doesn't necessarily equate to more protection. An SPF of 30 blocks about 97% of UV rays. Any number higher than that actually only increases the protection by one to two percent. No sunscreen currently on the market can block 100% of UV rays.

Reapplication and coverage are the real keys to sunscreen effectiveness. Regardless of the SPF, you should reapply your sunscreen every few hours when outdoors and especially after swimming or sweating.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends for people to use an SPF of at least 30 on both the face and body.

You can't just rely on the SPF in your moisturizer or makeup for protection. Most people just don't wear enough to get the actual SPF on the label.

To get the level of protection listed on your bottle, you will need to apply 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon worth of product to your face and neck and one ounce (a shotglass) to your entire body. With sunscreen more is literally more. And don't forget about your ears and scalp.

Most experts agree that suncare products should always be the last step of your skin care/makeup routine since any product applied over it can reduce their effectiveness.

There is really no such thing as layering SPF. You will usually just get the SPF from the higher numbered product.

Pay attention to the expiration date on your sunscreen and don't use it once it has expired. The active ingredients will break down and become deactivated over time.

Store your sunscreen in a cool place. Heat and light can also lead to a loss of efficacy.

Beware of reflective surfaces such as water and sand as they can reflect up to 85% of the sun's damaging rays.

If you have concerns about sunscreens causing cancer, read thisand this. For more information about both physical and chemical sunscreens, check out this helpful chart.No matter what level and type of protection you choose, just make sure you choose to be sun safe.How do you practice sun safety? I've recently starting using a UV umbrella.

56 comments

Thank you for putting this out there friend. I literally have the chills as a friend of mine with 4 kiddos just found out that her 9 year old little boy has melanoma. I have really been thinking a lot more about how I protect myself and what more I can do to protect my kids. Your list was so informative and helpful! Wishing you a lovely week ahead! Nicole xoxo

Wonderful post! Sun protection is definitely important for everyone! Great list: some of these I knew, my parents always made us wear sun protection, and it's always good to be more informed. :) /Madisonhttp://fashiontalesblog.com

Hi Rowena! This is an excellent and super informative post. I know perfectly that nowadays is really so dangerous stay under the sun without any protection, not only it causes cancer but damages the skin a lot. Mine is very sensible and I soon got dark spots. Usually I use SPF 30 or 50 when I am on the beach, in the city a cream with contains sunscreen as well. Hope you have a wonderful week ahead my dear, many hugs! xo

I am so awful with sun care. I know they are coming out with all these new and fancy creams now, but I think I was traumatised as a child and I just hate the gooeyness, the stickiness, the way it makes you pale… and it just puts me off wanting to try any other suncreams, however technologically advanced they may now be. I don't like wearing hats either, and I feel like sunglasses deprecate the beauty of the lovely sunshiney view. Hope you're having a lovely start to the week. Rosemary x

These are great tips! I am so glad you did a post on this because I feel like most people don't know how important it is to use sunscreen. Not only can you get cancer but it can also age your skin if you're not taking care.

i used to be so careless about the sun and never bothered to put sunscreen! isn' that crazy? but now i make sure to put some on. i used alba which is kind of heavy but still does what it's supposed to do.

Lovely suggestions...I think that a little bit of sunshine goes a long way...the sun provides us with vitamins but we must be careful not to overdo it and to protect our skin in every way we can:)http://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/

Gosh I know I used 15 on my body and kept reapplying it but it was not enough and I got burned. And I put 30 on my face for just walking around and still got color!! When I go to the beach I out 80 on my face. I just got a kids sunblock in 40 for my face for walking around and will have to get 30 for my body for the beach.

The sunscreen that you reviewed in the previous post goes hand in hand with this post. I wear a face (and neck) moisturizer with spf 30 every morning and then put on my makeup (with spf 15) over it. So that usually satisfies my protection. Plus I'm usually inside between the hours of 8am-3pm (working) so I think that helps too. Great tips, dear.

These tips are awesome! I just vacationed for over a week at the beach. Boy, was I prepared. I had sunscreen for my body, face, and my lips. I burn easily, so I made sure to always carry some in my bag so that I could reapply later.

This is THE BEST suncare and sun safety post I have ever read Rowena. Great job! You really provided excellent options as to what to use and what is available. It's so important for people to protect themselves. Cancer is nothing nice! I apply a SPF 50 sunscreen. I wear UVA/UVB sunglasses and hat protection. I want to buy caps and hats that are made specifically to protect against harmful UVA/UVB rays.

I went to a waterpark this week and wore a long sleeved swimsuit to protect more of my skin from the sun, I also slathered sunscreen all over...still, after all of that I missed a little strip of skin on the back of my neck and got sunburned! You have to be very vigilant!

I am one of the guilty ones, I never put on sunblock when I was in my younger days (uni time), and I was really active outdoor, playing tennis and swimming back then, but I never like to put it on because it irritated my eyes whenever I sweat under the sun, but these days, the formula has improved tremendously. They can be lighter in terms of texture, and has way better protection:))

Now I try my best to put on sunblock whenever I am out, especially. Hope it is not too late. Have a fabulous week ahead, my friend!

N. 15 is often overlooked. Since I've known it I've been very careful in applying the right amount of product. Thank you for this informative post. It's unbelievable but most people underestimate the risk of sun exposure. Baci, Valeria - Coco et La vie en rose FASHION & BEAUTY